For four straight years, by virtue of finishing in last place in the NFC North, the Bears have played a last place schedule. That meant that they, in addition to the other rotated AFC and NFC division everyone in the North faces, have played the other two corresponding last place NFC teams from the previous season.
In 2019, after winning the NFC North for the first time since 2010, that fact changes. With but one week left in the 2018 NFL regular season, we now know exactly who the Bears will play again next season and how that factors into their way-too-early long term outlook.